Ivan Rakitic says he's negotiating a new Barcelona contract
Ivan Rakitic says he started negotiation with Barcelona over a new contract and "soon there will be news".
The Croatian gave an interview to 24sata, saying he has a deal to 2019 and a release fee clause of 100 million euros, but "bit by bit we are negotiating a new deal and soon there will be news".
He said he was very happy in Barcelona and from home he only missed "the snow, because I grew up in Switzerland and I like the winter a lot".
"It will be difficult but we will try, at least, to repeat [what we did in] 2015," added the mdifielder. "Nobody has been able to win the Champions League for two years in a row and this is a new challenge for Barcelona."
Rakitic said the "most memorable moment was to score a goal in the final of the Champions League against Juventus". He is also not worried about Arda Turan joining the squad.
"I'm not worried about losing my place. In this year and a half I have shown everyone at the club that I'm important for the team."
Rakitic says he is comfortable with everyone in the squad and the dressing room. "All the team-mates socialise with our families. I get on well with the stars," he explained.
